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Got into an interesting convo with a couple friends the other day about ideas and projects they have worked on, and it dawned on me that there are some people out there who have never made anything special they can be proud of. They are more of consumers who find it easier to buy something if it's available rather than making it custom, or having a "professional" do it for them.

It got me thinking back to all the things I've put hours into and become attached to, like a neat redwood deck and fence, bicycle lights for riding at night, multiple model cars, E46 shift knobs, skim boards, hands-on school projects. The list goes on. They may not have all been the best, but working on them made them more special and you gain skills about every little detail from wood or metal working to electronics.

I'm sure since this is a car forum, you guys have done some unique things. Please share and pics are definitely a plus. I'll try to scrounge up some things worth sharing.

About the only thing I build myself are my computers, been doing that since the early 90s when I was like 12 or 13. But I guess that doesn't really count since a lot of people do that, and it's not really "from scratch".

About the only thing I build myself are my computers, been doing that since the early 90s when I was like 12 or 13. But I guess that doesn't really count since a lot of people do that, and it's not really "from scratch".

Well, it's hard to build anything truly from scratch. You'll often use the base metals or wood that has been farmed and just mold it. Most electronics projects are just assembling already existing electronics even if its as basic as a resistor. You still have to research all the components and determine what's best for you. Then you get all those custom PC modders that do blue lighted cases with water cooling and whatnot.

Nice, I was thinking about the same thing yesterday. It is easier to buy things than to make or fix your own things, so most people go that route.

I recently made 2 wooden dollies to move my car around the garage (it doesn't have suspension on it at the moment). Fixed my headphones yesterday, planning on making my own alignment "rack" this winter.

I start out each day with a new project. Basically I eat all the food I want, this process is called packing. By the end of the day the packing gets released into a one of kind sh!t, this is called un-packing.

"My philosophy as a businessman has always been to take care of the people who make me successful. It has always been "we" in my business conversations with others. At a certain point in a successful business it behooves one to make sure those doing a good job of supporting you are not struggling to make ends meet."